Toilet water tank with light and heavy flush control

ABSTRACT

A toilet is provided with light and heavy flush mechanisms to permit conservation of water. Two independent control valves disposed at different water levels within the tank are operable by actuator arms which are coupled with handles disposed externally of the tank in a manner which assures positive operation and economical construction. When the light flush handle is used, only the valve which is disposed higher in the tank is opened and 40 percent of the total water in the tank can be conserved. When the heavy flush handle is used, the lower valve opens draining a larger quantity of water from the tank while simultaneously opening the higher valve to substantially increase the flow rate of water from the tank.

United States Patent [191 Eastman Mar. 5, 1974 TOILET WATER TANK WITH LIGHT AND HEAVY FLUSH CONTROL [76] Inventor: Edward A. Eastman, 9726 E. 26th Ter., Independence, Mo. 64052 221 Filed: May 1, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 249,349

52 US. Cl. 4/67 A, 4/34, 4/57 P,

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51 Int. Cl 1103a 5/10, E03d 1/22,E03d1/30 [58 Field of Searchi. 4/67 R, 67 A, 57 R, 57 P, 34, 4/37, 40, 41; 1220/4 B, 4 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,375,531 4/1968 Lake 4/57 R 3,487,476 1/1970 Stiern et a]. 4/40 3,369,259 2/1968 Harold 4/57 F 2,720,332 10/1955 Holt 220/4 B 2,864,095 12/1958 Martino.... 4/37 1,960,864 5/1934 Brown 1, 4/67 A 2,731,647 1/1956 Groth et al. 4/67 A 3,237,211 3/1966 Brown 4/34 Primary Examinerl-1enry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmLowe, Kokjer, Kircher, Wharton & Bowman [5 7] ABSTRACT A toilet is provided with light and heavy flush mechanisms to permit conservation of water. Two independent control valves disposed at different water levels within the tank are operable by actuator arms which are coupled with handles disposed externally of the tank in a manner which assures positive operation and economical construction. When the light flush handle is used, only the valve which is disposed higher in the tank is opened and 40 percent of the total water in the tank can be conserved. When the heavy flush handle is used, the lower valve opens draining a larger quantity of water from the tank while simultaneously opening the higher valve to substantially increase the flow rate of water from the tank.

6 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED SHEET 1 OF 2 TOILET WATER TANK WITH LIGHT AND HEAVY FLUSH CONTROL This invention relates to water conservation devices and, more specifically, to a toilet which can be flushed either using a small amount of water or a larger amount.

Conventional toilets offering only one flush using a given quantity of water often use more than is necessary to clean the toilet bowl and therefore'waste a considerable quantity of water. Heretofore, attempts to produce a flush toilet having both light and heavy flush valves have been largely unsatisfactory. This has been attributable to their uneconomic construction and the fact that the working mechanism was frequently unreliable.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a toilet having a flushing mechanism which conserves water by allowing for two different flushes using two different quantities of water and wherein positive operating structure assures that each flush mechanism may work independently of the other in a reliable manner.

Another aim of this invention is to provide flapper valve structure for closing the inlet openings into a common basin which flapper valves are constructed to avoid any problem of the operating mechanism becoming entangled in the valves.

It is also an aim of my invention to provide a toilet flush mechanism as described in the foregoing objects wherein structure is provided to positively align the flapper valves on the inlet openings.

Another one of the objectives of my invention is to provide a flush mechanism for a toilet wherein both light and heavy flushes are possible and wherein the actuating arms which lift the flush valve are so constructed to permit them to be formed by a stamping process rather than a casting process thereby providing much more economical construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a flush mechanism for a toilet tank wherein both light and heavy flushes of water from the tank are possible and wherein the quantity of water passing from the tank on the light flush may be selected to release different quantities of water.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the toilet tank with portions being broken away to reveal the flushing mechanism within the tank;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tank shown in FIG. 1 with the top largely broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the external handles which are coupled with the actuating arms for the flushing valve;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along ling 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the flush handles;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the flush basin with portions broken away and shown in cross section for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view taken from a position 90 removed from the position of FIG. 7 and revealing further details of the flush basin;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the flush basin with one of the flapper valves removed for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 10'10 of FIG. 8.;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side-elevational view of one of the flapper valves illustrating the manner in which it is positioned on one of the inlet openings;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the flapper valve shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of an alternative form of the valve mounting and aligning structure;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in cross section of an alternative form of structure for varying the quantity of water passing through the tank on the light flush;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the second flush handle;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational view of the head of the mounting nut which receives the actuator shafts; and

FIG. 17 is a side-elevational view of the nut shown in FIG. 16.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toilet tank is designated generally by the numeral 20 and is closed by a removable top 22. Tank 20 is normally mounted at the rear of and above a toilet bowl (not shown) for the purpose of introducing water into the bowl to flush it out whenever necessary. Water is introduced into tank 20 from a source such as inlet pipe 24 disposed at the bottom of the tank. The quantity of water entering the tank through pipe 24 is controlled by a float 26 which operates valve means of a type well-known to those skilled in the art and shown schematically in FIG. 2 and designated by the numeral 28. While float 26 may be adjusted to a relatively small degree to vary the quantity of water held within tank 20, it is in general intended to provide approximately five gallons of water for flushing purposes. Water empties from tank 20 throughan'outlet conduit 30 disposed at the bottom of the tank and aligned with a flush basin generally designated by the numeral 32.

Basin 32 comprises upper and lower portions 34 and 36 which are sealingly interconnected as best illus trated in FIG. 10. Upper portion 34 has a groove 38 along its peripheral edge which receives a tongue 40 in the peripheral edge of lower portion 36. Both upper and lower portions 34 and 36 have integral outturned flanges 42 and 44 respectively, which provide a surface for attaching a sealing clamp 46. Clamp 46 is preferably made with one bend preformed in it and with a line of weakness at the'point of the second bend to facilitate securing of the clamp on flanges 42 and 44. It will be appreciated that the substantial surface area presented by the tongue-and-groove configuration and'the complementally mating flanges 42 and 44 substantially precludes the entrance of any moisture into the interior of basin 32 and thus presents a water-tight seal. Of course, other forms of fastening upper and lower'portions 34 and 36 could be utilized including ultra-sonic welding in the case where the portions are constructed from an appropriate plastic material.

Integral with and extending upwardly from portion 34 is an upright stack 48 upon which is seated an elongated nipple member 50. Member 50 is provided with an externally circumferintially extending shoulder 52 which is disposed on the peripheral edge of stack 48. A threaded collar 54 mates with complemental threads on the exterior of stack 48 to securely hold member 50 in place. The nipple member 50 presents a first inlet opening 56 communicating with the interior of basin 32. A second inlet opening 58 which is disposed at a level substantially lower in tank 20 than opening 56 is providedinto basin 32.

A stand pipe 60 which provides an overflow from tank 20 extends upwardly from basin32 and communicates the interior of the basin with the atmosphere above the highest level of water in tank 20. Pipe 60 has a flat aligning face 62 along one side for purposes to be made clear hereinafter. Valve means is provided for closing inlet openings 56 and 58 in the form of first and second flapper valves 64. Since the valves 64 are identical, only one of the same 'will be described with corresponding reference numerals being used on the two valves to indicate corresponding components. As best illustrated in FIG. 1 l, valve 64 has a generally flexible portion 66 which sealingly engages the peripheral edge of inlet opening 56. Portion 66 is formed to present a hollow enclosure 68 for entrapping air and causing the valve to float when it is lifted from its seat. Lower yieldable portion 66 of valve 64 extends upwardly and grasps an upper portion 70 preferably made of a relatively rigid material, which upper portion presents a framework for supporting portion 66. A tab projection 71 extends upwardly through the rigid material for securing an actuating link such as chain 73 or 75. Extending outwardly and away from valve 64 are a pair of integral mounting arms 72 which are pivotally disposed on a mounting collar 74. Collar 74 is provided with a flat aligning face 76 which is complemental to and mates with aligning face 62 to assure proper positioning of valve 64 over the appropriate inlet opening. Finally, a jaw action clamp 78 securely holds collar 74 on stand pipe 60. Manifestly, the construction of clamp 78 serves as both a retainer and a shield to keep the chains 73 and 75 from becoming entangled with retaining screws 77. It will be understood, of course, that flapper valve 64 and its associated mounting arms could be constructed from integral molded plastic as a unit.

The actuating mechanism for operating valves 64 comprises a bolt 86 which passes through the sidewall of tank 20 and is held in place by a nut 88. Bolt 86 has a through bore for mounting first and second actuating shafts 90 and 92. First shaft 90 has a knurled end 94 which projects from the tank and mounts a first operating handle 96 disposed at the front of tank 20. Al-

though shafts 90 and 92 are shown as having rounded outer surfaces, it will be understood that a hexagon configuration could be utilized with a groove in one end and an offset for a rivet in the other end.

A laterally extending actuating arm 98 is disposed at the opposite end of shaft 90 and is mounted on the latter by a bifrocated bracket 100. A pair of fasteners such as rivets 102 pass through the arm and the bracket. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, bracket 100 is provided'with a pair of integral wings 104 which span the distance between the two spaced elements of bracket 100. An actuating rod 106 which is generally perpendicular passes through wings 104 and is proximal shaft 90. Rod 106 may be tightened against wings 104 to effectively clamp shaft 90. Shaft 90 has a lifting face 108 which engages rod 106 and transmits torque from shaft into a lifting force to raise arm 98 by virtue of the clamping action of wings 104 and rod 106. It is to be noted that the end of arm 98 presents a corrugated section 110 that serves as a spacer between the elements of bracket 100. The particular construction of arm 98 is specifically adapted to a stamping operation and is therefore much more economical to construct than conventional arms which must be cast.

A second actuating arm 112 is mounted on shaft 92 by a bracket 100 in the same manner as previously described for arm 98. Arm 1 12 also has a corrugated end section 114 which serves as a spacer between the elements of bracket 100. A second actuating rod 116 passes through the wings 104 of second bracket 100 and engages a lifting face 118 on shaft 92. A second handle 119 is disposed on the end of shaft 92 opposite lifing face 118, and between the first handle 96 and tank 20. An L-shaped stop 120 is secured to tank 20 by nut 88 and arms 98 and 112 are limted in their degree of vertical movement by this stop.

Handle 119 is provided with a pair of finger'like projections 122 (FIG. 15) which are received within windows 124 on the head of bolt 86 to thereby accommodate a limited degree of movement of the handle. Handle 119 also has a pair of windows 126 which receive projections 128 (FIGS. 5 and 6) on handle 96.

In operation, handle 96 may be operated to move arm 98 and open first valve 64 independently of the second valve. As best understood from viewing FIG. 15, projections 128 on handle 96 may move through an arc of approximately 23 before butting against the opposite end of window 126 on handle 119. As arm 98 moves upwardly, it will raise valve 64 into the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 to allow water to pass through the basin and into the toilet bowl. It is to be noted that with chain 82 disposed immediately above valve 64 and with the valve having a rounded outer periphery it is impossible for the chains to become entangled in the valve. Water in the tank will move from its normal level indicated by the letter A in FIG. 1 to the level indicated by the letter B". This will drain approximately 60% of the total water from the tank to provide a light flush.

When a heavy flush is desired, handle 119 is moved downwardly to rotate shaft 92 and raise arm 112. Because of the relative positions of windows 126 and projections 128, handle 96 will also be rotated simultaneously to open the light flush valve at the same time the lower heavy flush valve is opened. This will provide an even more effective flush than would be possible with the heavy flush valve alone. It would, of course, be possible to utilize a pair of chains extending from the heavy flush valve to simultaneously open the light flush valve rather than rotating the light flush actuator shaft and associated arm as is the preferred construction. The heavy flush valve 64 when open will allow the water in tank 20 to empty down to the level indicated by the letter C" in FIG. I. As tank 20 is refilled by water entering the tank through pipe 24, a small quantity of the water will be diverted through a line 130 to permit filling of the toilet bowl.

An alternative form of construction for stand pipe 60 is illustrated in FIG. 13. In this instance a stand pipe having an octagonal cross section is provided for proper mounting of valves 64. As indicated, with the stand pipe 160 a collar 174 having a complemental octagonal configuration is provided for mounting flapper An alternative construction for nipple member 50 is indicated in FIG. 14 and comprises a member 150 having external threads on opposite ends and a circumscribing peripheral shoulder 152. Shoulder 152 is provided with a number of wrench flats to allow member 150 to be tightly disposed at the top of stack 48 with a sealing gasket 132 between the shoulder and the peripheral edge of stack 48. The quantity of water used during the light flush may be varied by simply removing member 150 from stack 48 and threading the opposite end of the member into the stack. With either member 50 or 150, it may be desirable to chrome plate the member for added wear life.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a toilet having a tank, a source of water into the tank, and means for turning on and off the water from said source, which means is operably controlled by the height of the water in the tank, the improvement comprising:

a basin disposed in said tank, said basin having first and second intercommunicating inlet openings from said tank with the second opening disposed lower in the tank than the first opening and an outlet opening from said basin intercommunicating with said inlet openings and communicating with an outlet from said tank;

first and second valves for closing said first and second inlet openings respectively,

said valves being movable to open positions to allow the passage of water through said basin and out of said tank;

first and second actuator arms coupled with said first and second valves respectively;

first and second actuator shafts disposed one within the other and being movable independently,

each of said shafts having one end projecting from said tank and a lifting face on one side thereof at the opposite end, said lifting face being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the shaft,

a lifting rod for each of said arms independent of a respective shaft, disposed in engagement with the said lifting face and coupled with a respective arm,

whereby when a respective shaft is rotated said face transmits the torque from the shaft into a lifting force to lift said rod to thereby move a respective arm and open the valve coupled therewith.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included a handle member on said one end of each of said shafts; one of the handles being disposed behind the other, said one handle having a window opening therein and the other handle having a finger projection extending into the opening, said opening being of a width greater than the corresponding dimension of said projection whereby said other handle may be operated independently of said one handle and the latter may be utilized to simultaneously operate said other handle.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included valve anchoring structure for mounting said valves, said structure having means thereon for assuring proper alignment of said valves with said inlet openings.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said structure presents an air passage into said basin.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said basin comprises upper and lower portions presenting peripheral edges disposed in contact with one another, one of said edges presenting a tongue and the other edge presenting a groove for complementally receiving the tongue.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said basin comprises an elongated nipple member presenting saidfirst inlet opening, said nipple member having opposed end sections of different lengths and being movable from a first position disposed on said upper portion wherein one of said sections projects from the upper portion to an inverted position wherein the other of said sections projects from the upper portion to thereby vary the quantity of water disposed above said first inlet opening. 

1. In a toilet having a tank, a source of water into the tank, and means for turning on and off the water from said source, which means is operably controlled by the height of the water iN the tank, the improvement comprising: a basin disposed in said tank, said basin having first and second intercommunicating inlet openings from said tank with the second opening disposed lower in the tank than the first opening and an outlet opening from said basin intercommunicating with said inlet openings and communicating with an outlet from said tank; first and second valves for closing said first and second inlet openings respectively, said valves being movable to open positions to allow the passage of water through said basin and out of said tank; first and second actuator arms coupled with said first and second valves respectively; first and second actuator shafts disposed one within the other and being movable independently, each of said shafts having one end projecting from said tank and a lifting face on one side thereof at the opposite end, said lifting face being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the shaft, a lifting rod for each of said arms independent of a respective shaft, disposed in engagement with the said lifting face and coupled with a respective arm, whereby when a respective shaft is rotated said face transmits the torque from the shaft into a lifting force to lift said rod to thereby move a respective arm and open the valve coupled therewith.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included a handle member on said one end of each of said shafts; one of the handles being disposed behind the other, said one handle having a window opening therein and the other handle having a finger projection extending into the opening, said opening being of a width greater than the corresponding dimension of said projection whereby said other handle may be operated independently of said one handle and the latter may be utilized to simultaneously operate said other handle.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included valve anchoring structure for mounting said valves, said structure having means thereon for assuring proper alignment of said valves with said inlet openings.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said structure presents an air passage into said basin.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said basin comprises upper and lower portions presenting peripheral edges disposed in contact with one another, one of said edges presenting a tongue and the other edge presenting a groove for complementally receiving the tongue.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said basin comprises an elongated nipple member presenting said first inlet opening, said nipple member having opposed end sections of different lengths and being movable from a first position disposed on said upper portion wherein one of said sections projects from the upper portion to an inverted position wherein the other of said sections projects from the upper portion to thereby vary the quantity of water disposed above said first inlet opening. 